Godparent to Anglican baby?

[Thomas63116]

Well, what I mean is that my friend and her husband had no idea that I couldn’t be a godparent. The only thing they were told was that one person had to be Catholic. As a previous poster said, many certificates would still put my as a godparent. So, how would anyone know, given what they were told and what the certificate says, who is REALLY a godparent. Given all the confusion, it makes one wonder how many people think someone is a godparent and in reality they are not. Then again, what would cause someone to know they weren’t.

Does this make any sense?

I think there is perhaps some similarity between the role of “sponsors” or “Godparents” at a Baptism and the role of a “Best Man” or “Maid of Honor” at a wedding.

Canon law really dooesn’t speak of “Godparents” or have any requirements for it. Rather, there are requirement for someone to be a baptismal sponsor. This role of sponsor is sort of cominglied in our society with the idea of a “Godparents” usually friends or relatives who will have a special relationship with the child, especially pertaining to his her faith.

Similarly, canon law makes no provisions for a “best man” or “maid of honor” at a wedding. There is simply a requirement for two official witnesses. Traiditionally, this canonical role has overlapped with the social role of “best man” and “maid of honor” who usually have some close friendship or relationship with the bride and groom, respectively.

Someone might not meet the canonical requirements to be a baptismal sponsor, but as a “Christian Witness” at the baptism might still fulfill some of the social roles throughout the child’s life normally associated with being a Godparent.